Is deploying the National Guard to handle ICE protestors an ‘overreach of federal authority’?
An ICE Special Response Team member stands guard outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, while protesters gathered outside to denounce ICE operations, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles. AP Photo/Eric Thayer
After Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducted raids across Los Angeles, massive protests devolved in the city and beyond last week. President Trump called in the Marines and the National Guard despite backlash from the state’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott deployed thousands of National Guard troops to Texas and Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activated the National Guard and declared a state of emergency there in response to planned protests. Late last week Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker pushed back against Trump’s decision to use the National Guard and the Marines. This was during a hearing meant to shine a light on Illinois’ and other blue state policies around immigrants.
A former Democratic congressman who led the Illinois National Guard talks about the legality, politics, and practicality of calling in the National Guard to push back against protestors.
GUEST
Bill Enyart
Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard
Former Democratic Congressman